Refrigerated liquid dispensing unit



May 26, 1953 A. J. COHEN ET AL 2,639,724

REFRIGERAIED LIQUID DIsPENsING UNIT Filed Sept. Il, 1950 patented May 26, 195?,

y 2,639,724 REFRIGERATED LIQUID DISPENSING UNIT Abraham J. Cohen, Samuel Levine, Morris 'Caminear, and Stephen S. Price, New Haven,

Conn.

Application September 1, 1950, Serial No. 182,826

3 Claims.

This invention relates to a refrigerated liquid dispensing unit, and has for one of its objects the production of a simple and efficient refrigerated unit for dispensing carbonated Water, beverages, beer, and other liquids,4 under a constant pressure, in a manner to avoid formation of bacterial growth, and thereby facilitate the serving of one or several sanitary and refrigerated beverages of superior quality at all times.

A further object of this invention is the production of a simple and efficient valve control mechanism for a refrigerated liquid dispensing unit to facilitate the selective dispensing of one beverage, or a combination of several beverages, the dispensing unit itself being refrigerated by means of a refrigerant circulating through said unit.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear throughout the following specification and claims.

In the drawing:

Figure `1 is a top plan View of the refrigerated liquid dispensing unit;

Figure 2 is an irregular vertical sectional View ythereof taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary top plan View;

Figure 4 is an irregular horizontal sectional view through the unit, certain parts being shown in top plan View;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the unit, certain parts being shown in section to illustrate the communication between the entrance port and the primary reservoir; and

Figure 6 is a detail sectional View taken on line 6 6 of Figure 1.

By referring to the drawing, it will be seen that I designates the housing of the dispensing unit Which is supported upon a hollow cylindrical support II having a threaded end I2. The threaded end I2 is adapted to engage a suitable means for anchoring the support II in place in any conventional manner, to hold the ange I3 of the housing I0 against a suitable wall W, shown in Figure 2. The housing ID is provided With a suitable circular or spiral refrigeration receiving channel I4 formed in any desired manner, to encircle the housing near its outer periphery, as shown in Figures 2 and 4, so as to encircle the control valves. The channel I4 receives the refrigerant from the feed tube I andA the refrigerant is relieved through the return tube I8. The tubes I5 and I6 extend longitudinally within the cylindrical support II to the channel I4 of the housing I8 to provide circulation'for the coolant suchv as brine solution'or refrigerants, or a combination of both. Any suitable means may be utilized to pass and control the passage of the coolant through the tube I5, the channel I4 and return tube I6.

The housing I0 carries an inner portion I1, as shown in Figure 2, and a vertically arranged downwardly tapering socket I8 is formed therein adjacent the inner side of the housing I0, as shown in Figure 2. The lower end of the socket I8 is provided with a port I9 which communicates With a transversely extending passage 20. The passage 20 extends across the center of the housing I0, as shown in Figure 5, and communicates at its opposite end with the cylindrical reservoir 2l of a primary dispensing element, by means of a port '22 of the casing 23. The lower end of the casing 23 is closed by means of a nut 24. The casing 23 is also provided with an upper chamber 25, and a port 2B provides a communication between the reservoir 2| and the upper chamber 25. The upper end of the chamber 25 is closed by a nut 21 and a valve stem 28 passes through the nut 21, the chamber 25 and into the reservoir 2|. Bearings 29 are preferably carried by the nut 21 for contact with the valve stem 28, as shown in Figure 2, to facilitate reciprocation of the valve stem 28. A resilient valve Washer 30 is carried by the valve stem 28 below the port 28, and a coil spring 3l is also carried by the stem '28 intermediate the nut 24 and the valve washer 30 to normally close the port 2B. A tappet head 32 is carried by the upper end of the stem 28 for engagement with the cam under face 33 of the nose 33a of the actuating lever 34.

A selected liquid, beverage, or the like is fed under pressure to the socket I8 through the port 35 from the supply pipe 38. The pipe 36 may be. provided with a suitable valve at a suitable location to control flow vthrough the pipe 36. This is common to all dispensers. A guide nut 31 is threaded into the upper end of the socket I8 and carries an adjusting plug 38 which is adjustably threaded through the nut 31. The plug 38 carries an inverted cone-shaped or tapered end portion 39 at its lower end to regulate the volume of flow of liquid, beverage, or the like, from the pipe 36 and through the socket I8 to the passage 20. This plug 38 is set by the operator to obtain a desired ow and may be adjusted when necessary to enlarge or diminish flow merely by threading the plug 38 through the nut 31.

The actuating lever 34 is carried by the shaft 40 and' this shaft 40 is jou'rnalled at its endsin the upstanding journals 4l carried by the top of the housing l0. 'I'he shaft 4B extends transversely of the housing l and at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical support Il. A shield casing 42 encases the lower end of the actuating lever 34 and is carried by the housing IU. The upper end of the lever 34 extends through the aperture 35 of the casing 42, as shown in Figure 2.

When the actuating lever 34 is pulled in forward direction, the valve stem 28 is depressed against the tension of the spring 3l., and the valve 30 is moved away from the lport '25 to open this port. Liquid or beverage under pressure will then pass from the reservoir 2l, which is supplied through port 22 from the passage 29, and pipe 35. The liquid or beverage Will thereafter pass into the chamber 25 out through the port 44 and then into chambers 45 in a downward direction and out through the lower open ends of the chambers 45. The chambers l5 are placed inwardly and laterally of the casing 2.3 and upon opposite sides of the passage 2-see Figure .15..

A supporting member t6 is carried by the .lower end of the housing Ill and supports a downwardly tapering dispensing nozzle 4l, having an open discharge end or exit port ll. An outer nozzle 49 is supported in encasing and spaced relation relative to the nozzle 41 and is provided with an open discharge end or exit port U below and surrounding the end 48 of the nozzle 4l. Venturi orifices 5l in any desired number, are formed in the nozzle 49 near its upper end, as shown in Figure 2.

As the liquid or beverage under pressure passes from the chambers 45', it will pass through exit port 58 and exit port 55. This action will set up an ejector action between the inner and outer nozzles M and 9 thereby mixing the liquid or beverage with the atmosphere and with air which is drawn through the Venturi orifices 5i. As stated above, the orifices may be in any desired number. When the actuating lever 3E is returned to its upright and normal position, :the valve 35 will close the port 25 and shut off the liquid flow through the valve seat or port 25 and the eXit ports 48 and 581.

The housing l0 is provided with laterally spaced twin dispensing units T and Ta Ahaving sleeves 52 which support the chambers 125, and a ller 53 is carried within each sleeve 52. Each filler 53 is provided with a cylindrical reservoir 5d. The reservoir 54 of one ller 53 communicates with a supply pipe 55, and the reservoir 513 o'i the companion ller communicates with the supply pipe 55, as shown in Figure 4. The pipes 55 and 56 supply selected liquids or beverages under pressure and carry conventional valves to open and close flow through the pipes in the oonventional manner. A nut 5l is threaded into the upper end of each reservoir v55 of the filler '53, and a threaded guide nut 58 is threaded vertically through the nut 5l. A valve stem 59 is extended vertically through each guide nut 58, which nut 53 is provided with suitable bearings engaging the stem v59 to facilitate reciprocation of the stem 59 through the nut 58. A housing 5D is carried by each ller 53 and extends downwardly through the open end of the Achamber 45 thereof. The stem 59 carries a needle valve El at its lower end which normally extends through the outlet port yt2 formed-at the lower end of the housing 60. A valve head 63 is carried by the lower end of the valve stem 59 and is provided with a suitable washer to overhang the edges of 4 the port 62 and provide an eflicient seal to normally close the port 62. A coil spring 64 is interposed between the lower end of the guide nut 58 and the valve head 63 to normally hold the valve head 63 in a port closing position. The position of the guide nut 58 may be adjusted to regulate the tension of the spring 64.

The actuating lEVer 34 is provided with a pair of oppositely arranged laterally extending portions 65 and 86 arranged to overlie the laterally spaced stems 59 of the auxiliary twin dispensing housing I 0.

elements or units .'1 and Ta. A ball 61 is carried 'by the upper end of `each stem 59. The upper end of each stern 53 under the ball 61 fits into a suitable notch 68., yand the ball 6l of each stem 59 overhangs the edges of the companion notch 68 las shown in Figures 2 and 3. The ball 6l ofl each stem also 'nts in a suitable recess 69 formed each of the portions 55 and 56, above the companion notches 5 j8, as shown in Figure 2. As the lever 34 is swung forwardly, the stems 59 of the twin dispensing units Tand Ta `will .be lifted to open the .respective ports 5,2.

The supply pipe 35 .is preferably provided with a suitable control valve 36a at a suitable location and the pipes 55 and-55 are provided with .similar valves 55aa-nd 558L respectively, to open and close the flow through `the pipes at the will of the voperator to supply one Vor .a combination of liquids, syrup, beverages, and the like.

When the stems of the .elements or units T and .Ta .are lifted to open the Aports 52, liquid from pipes 5,5 and 55 will ow yinto the reservoir 54 under pressure if both valves .55a and 55a are opened, the ldown through the housings 63, and out .through the ports .62 through the dispensing openings 48 and 50 in the same manner as previously described. If only-the valve 56a is opened the liquid will be dispensed only through the unit T. If only the valve 55a -is l'opened liquid will be dispensed only through the unit Ta. By opening all three valves 36e, 55a, .and 562.1., a mixture of three beverages or liquids .may be obtained when the actuating lever -Sil is Vswung forwardly to open the port 25 as well .as the `ports 62 vof the units T .and Te. .When .only the valve .35a vis opened and the .actuating vlever 3d is swung forwardly thereby openingthe vport 26, `theliquid or beverage or the like is dispensed from the supply line through the dispensing or exit por-ts 48 and 50 as set .forth above.

.From the foregoing description it will be understood .that the volume iiow thro-ugh `the .passage 20 to the reservoir .2l is controlled through the medium of the adjustable plug 38, and the kind of liquid dispensed is controlled by manually operating .a selected valve .3.522, 55e, or 55e. O nly one kindof liquid .or .beverage .may be dispensed, or a combination or 4mixture of .two or more 'may be dispensed through the refrigerated Any number .of dispensing .units may be providedby adding .more dispensing units.

It further should be understood that certain detail changes in lI nechanical structure may be made within the spirit of the tpresent invention so long as these changes jfall within the sco-pe of the appended claims.

Having described the invention, what we claim as new 1s:

l. A 4liquid dispensing unit .of v.the class .described comprising a housing, said housing having a cooling agentreceiving ohanneLsaid housing having Aa liquid vreceiving socket, means for regulating the fiiow of liquid through lthe socket, meansffor-suuiilvins 'liquid underpressure .to said socket, a dispensing element in said housing and having a reservoir communicating with said socket for receiving liquid under pressure from the socket, said element having a chamber provided with a port communicating with said reservoir, a normally closed valve controlling the iiow of liquid from the reservoir to the chamber, said housing having means for dispensing liquid from said element when said valve is opened, a plurality of auxiliary dispensing elements carried by said housing offset laterally and rearwardly of the first mentioned dispensing element; each auxiliary dispensing elementl having a reservoir, a, discharge valve mechanism for each auxiliary reservoir, said valve mechanism comprising a valve stem and a discharge ,port normally closed by the valve stem, a rocker lever mounted on a horizontal pivot above said dispensing elements, means carried by the last mentioned valve stem engageable with said rocker lever for opening said port to dispense liquid from said auxiliary reservoir, means carried by said rocker lever for engaging said valve of said iirst mentioned reservoir to simultaneously open the valves o all dispensing elements as said rocker lever is swung in one direction, and means for sup-plying a selected liquid to each dispensing element.

2. A liquid dispensing unit of the class described comprising a housing, said housing havr ing a cooling agent receiving channel, said housing having a liquid receiving socket, means for regulating the flow of liquid through the socket, means for supplying liquid under pressure to said socket, a dispensing element in said housing and having a reservoir communicating with said socket for receiving liquid under pressure from the socket, said element having a chamber provided with a port communicating with said reservoir, a normally closed valve controlling the ilow of liquid from the reservoir to the chamber, said housing having means for dispensing liquid from said element when said valve is opened, a plurality of auxiliary dispensing elements carried by said housing oiset laterally and rearwardly of the first mentioned dispensing element; each auxiliary dispensing element having a reservoir, a discharge valve mechanism for each auxiliary reservoir, said valve mechanism comprising a valve stem and a discharge port normally closed by the valve stem, a rocker lever mounted on a horizontal pivot above said dispensing elements, means carried by the last mentioned valve stem engageable with said rocker lever ior opening said port to dispense liquid from said auxiliary reservoir, means carried by said rocker lever for engaging said valve of said rst mentioned reservoir to simultaneously open the valves cf all dispensing elements as said rocker lever is swung in one direction, means for supplying a selected liquid to each dispensing element, spring means for normally holding the valves of the auxiliary dispensing elements in a closed position, each valve stem of the auxiliary dispensing elements having a ball at its upper end, the actuating lever having notches for receiving the last mentioned valve stems, the balls overhanging the edges of the notches to connect the last mentioned valve stem to the rocker lever, said valves of said auxiliary dispensing elements being movable upwardly to an open position as said rocker lever is swung in an opening direction, the valve oi said rst mentioned dispensing element being depressible downwardly to an open position, and means carried by said rocker lever for engaging said first mentioned dispensing element to open the first mentioned dispensing element at the same time as said rocker lever is swung in an opening direction.

3. A liquid dispensing unit comprising a housing, a dispensing element carried by said housa normally closed depressible valve for controlling the discharge oi fluid from said dispensing element, a pair of auxiliary dispensing elements carried by said housing, a normally closed upwardly movable valve for controlling the discharge of fluid from each auxiliary dispensing element, means communicating with all of said dispensing elements and providing a common discharge for said elements, a rocker lever pivotally mounted on said housing outwardly of said elements, said rocker lever having a portion projecting to one side of the pivot of said lever and overhanging said iirst mentioned dispensing element, a second portion carried by said rocker lever and projecting beyond the opposite side of said lever pivot and contacting said auxiliary dispensing elements for simultaneously opening the valves of all of said dispensing elements as said rocker lever is swung in one direction, a separate selectively controlled supply y means leading to each separate dispensing element to facilitate the selective dispensing of individual and mixed liquids, a dispensing nozzle carried by said housing to receive the iluid dispensed from said dispensing elements and having a discharge end, an outer nozzle encasing said dispensing nozzle in spaced relation thereto and having a discharge end encircling and below the discharge end of said rst mentioned dispensing nozzle, and said outer nozzle having Venturi oriiices formed therein inwardly of its discharge end thereby providing vents through which air is drawn in a manner whereby an ejector action is set up by the discharge of liquid through the discharge end of the first mentioned nozzle to mix air with the liquid passing out through the discharge end of the outer nozzle.

ABRAHAM J. COI-IEN.

SAMUEL LEVINE.

MORRIS CAMINEAR.

STEPHEN S. PRICE.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,124,905 Huber Jan. 12, 1915 1,603,082 Jacobs Oct. l2, 1926 2,074,698 Langdon Mar. 23, 1937 2,362,104 Smith Nov. 7, 1944 2,371,432 Di Pietro Mar. 13, 1945 2,515,570 Rubineld July 18, 1950 2,585,247 Hudson Feb. 12, 1952 

